Chapel Market is how markets used to be in London, before all the farmers and artisans appeared on the scene. It’s a good place to come for some good old fashioned Cockney grub.

Alpino’s (Elementary B+), 74 Chapel Market, open 06.30 to 15.00

A classic old Italian café that’s a local institution. This is the place to come if you want a proper greasy spoon full English breakfast for a fiver (B+) but they also do Italian specials as well. Friendly and very popular.

One of a chain of four Manze’s, the original is in Deptford, a family that have been making pie & mash for over 100 years. Double pie and mash is the way to go for a bellyful of satisfying stodge. You will also need a good pouring of ‘liquor’, a parsley and cornflour sauce made with the water from stewing the eels.

Although nothing to do with food, I feel a mention should go to this nearby institution who proclaim themselves to be ‘the UK’s premier taxidermy company’. A peak through their windows is a quite a trippy experience with crows, albino peacocks and birds of prey tussling for space with giraffes, antelope and zebras!